Two sources confirmed to the Sun yesterday that the NHL's 700 players are going through a process to decide if there needs to be an investigation into Saskin's hiring by the union in August, 2005.

Saskin is already the subject of a lawsuit filed in October in Illinois by Chris Chelios and a group of players.

Sources say the two groups have now issued competing DVDs that are in the process of being shown to all 30 teams.

In one DVD, Chelios's statements made regarding Saskin's hiring at the NHLPA's meeting last summer in Whistler, B.C., are shown. Then, Saskin tells his side of the story in a separate DVD.

Following the presentation of the videos, players are being asked to decide whether they want the union to launch a full investigation into the actions of the executive board to replace Bob Goodenow after he was fired following the lockout.

ICE CHIPS: Veteran W Gary Roberts is all but done with the Panthers. The question now: Where will he land at the NHL trade deadline? It's believed Florida coach and GM Jacques Martin is getting ready to clean house, something that would put Roberts near the top of the list to be sent packing. Yes, Senators GM John Muckler has already picked up C Mike Comrie from the Coyotes and is close to the $44-million (all terms US) salary cap, but the club would like to bring in one more veteran at the deadline. The big question with Roberts is his health. He's currently on the injured reserve list with a hip ailment and nobody is going to make a deal until they're sure he's 100% recovered. The Maple Leafs are also expected to make a pitch. They were prepared to make a deal for Roberts last summer when he asked for a trade back to Toronto to be closer to his family. Sources say the Panthers were asking for a second-round draft pick from the Leafs in exchange for Roberts, but it's believed the price will be reduced by the time Florida is ready to make the move at the Feb. 27 deadline ... A lot of observers believe Canucks G Roberto Luongo will give Devils G Martin Brodeur a run for the starting job with Team Canada at the Olympics in Vancouver in 2010. Speaking of the Olympics, there's a chance executive director Wayne Gretzky could be behind the bench. Former Wings great Steve Yzerman could also be involved in some capacity.

AROUND THE BOARDS: Eleven teams -- including the Canadiens, Avalanche, Rangers, Canucks and Flames -- have called the Flyers to check on the availability of C Peter Forsberg. There were reports yesterday that Forsberg would consider waiving his no-trade clause to go to a contender, but only if he's healthy. Forsberg has been troubled by foot problems all season and plans to fly back to Sweden during the all-star break to see if he can get the matter resolved. Don't be surprised if Forsberg, set to become an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, agrees to a deal that sends him back to the Avs, with whom he won two Stanley Cups and reunites him with Joe Sakic as they attempt to earn a playoff spot in the West ... Phoenix C Jeremy Roenick is 10 goals shy of becoming only the second American-born player in the NHL history to score 500 goals. Joe Mullen was the first while Dallas C Mike Modano (sidelined with an injury) has 495. Roenick has been a healthy scratch of late ... Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell has turned up the heat on Penguins owner Mario Lemieux. He called the deal the state is offering to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh "the best deal" anywhere -- including the K.C. offer.

RUMOURS DU JOUR: After losing tough guy Andre Roy on waivers to Tampa, the Penguins are rethinking their need for a heavyweight to protect C Sidney Crosby. There's a belief that Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero might make a pitch to the Senators for RW Brian McGrattan ... What's this we hear about the Senators trying to trade D Joe Corvo? That's the whisper among NHL executives, but there's just one problem: He has more than $7.5 million and three years remaining on his contract. Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe needs a puck-moving blueliner, but he's still targeting Philly's Joni Pitkanen, St. Louis' Eric Brewer and Boston's D Brad Stuart. The Bruins are interested in Brewer as well ... You can take Kings D Lubomir Visnovsky off the trade market. The club is trying to sign him to a contract extension. With Visnovsky apparently unavailable, there's a lot of talk the Kings are getting calls for Ds Brent Sopel and Mattias Norstrom. Sopel could be on the move, but Norstrom would have to agree to waive his no-trade clause. Meanwhile, C Craig Conroy is a prime candidate to be dealt from L.A. The Habs and Flames are said to be interested, but suddenly the Jackets are looking for another centre as well.